Permanent extensions: Human hair or synthetic?

A common question regarding extensions is whether human hair or synthetic hair is better. From a quality standpoint, expensive, luxury human hair brands are the top-class option. However, like luxury vehicles, not everyone has a need for luxury hair, and — in fact — there are several instances where synthetic hair might be better suited for an individual. This is especially true if cost is a concern, and/or the client wants extensions longer than 22 inches in length. However, for […]

One of the most popular things to read about when researching locks is the importance of deep cleaning. Many people use baking soda and apple cider vinegar to deep clean their locks, and recommend soaking locks in this mixture once a year to remove buildup. However, despite the overwhelming popularity of this recipe, I do not suggest using baking soda for soaks, for similar reasons to why I don’t suggest Castile soap. Here is a long summary of my chemical […]

Shiny hair is a byproduct of when hair strands lay side-by-side — hence why flat ironing hair increases shine. Uniformity in curl pattern is what reduces frizz and increases shine. The less uniform someone’s curl pattern is, the more “mismatched” the peaks and valleys of each hair strand become. This causes light to refract and scatter on each hair strand, rather than reflecting a brilliant sheen. Some starting methods popular for kinky hair types, such as comb coils, can make baby […]

“Mildew” is a word some use to refer to the early stages of mold. “Wet towel smell” is a common indicator of mildew, but never fear — it’s very common and very, very easy to get rid of. Mold is both pH-sensitive and heat-sensitive. According to Ohio State University, most molds cannot survive above 140°F/60°C. Some websites report that application of typical 5% white vinegar kills 82% of mold species. The acid of vinegar’s pH purportedly disfigures the proteins in […]

Soft, moisturized hair is hair that is hydrated — and water is the only thing that can do that. (Contrary to popular belief, oil does not hydrate hair on its own.) So the key to conditioning your hair is finding ways to attract moisture to your hair strands and encourage it to stay in the cortex.

Brambleroots does not recommend the use of wax under any circumstance. It cannot be chemically dissolved with any compound that is safe to use on the human body. This article will describe the chemical structure of wax, why people use it, and several harmful myths perpetuated by wax manufacturers to sell an unnecessary product. People are tempted to use wax because it functions like a super heavy-duty hair gel. They use it to neatly twist the roots, smooth frizz, and […]

Starting locs from relaxed hair is a controversial topic in the black hair community. I started my locs with a relaxer nearly two years ago, and I have not had any trouble since I’ve started. I hope my experiences can help find a middle ground between these heated opinions. I do not suggest starting locs with relaxed hair if the state of your hair is too brittle. Many people will argue that all relaxed hair is detrimentally unhealthy, which I personally disagree […]

Cultural appropriation is a hegemonic social dynamic wherein members of a dominant culture (which is not necessarily defined by race) exploit sacred or otherwise restricted elements of the cultures they dominate for fashion or otherwise “culturally inappropriate” gain — e.g., profit, cool points. Is cultural appropriation real? In academic studies: yes. But there is a difference between cultural exchange (mutual) and cultural appropriation (exploitative). Here is where we diverge from some agendas made popular by social justice blogs. The key […]

Ensuring that your hair dries fully in a day’s time is vital for ensuring that mold doesn’t develop. Each person has a different way of making sure that happens. Some people like air drying. Some blow dry. Some hood dry. Some even dry their hair halfway with a dryer, then air dry the rest. Whatever method you use, the important part is that your locks aren’t wet for too long. Locks that are kept perpetually damp ultimately run a higher risk […]

Crochet hook maintenance should be done on dry hair only. Dry hair is less susceptible to breakage because keratin protein — the stuff hair and nails are made of — is more durable when dry. Keratin chains are held together with hydrogen bonds. Water (which is hydrogen + oxygen, H2O) breaks those hydrogen bonds apart when hair gets wet. The disjointed, unlinked protein chains in dampened hair make it really easy to snap each strand until your hair is dry again. […]